Fire District Holds Monthly Meeting

The return of water to Chevelon Canyon due to snowmelt on the Rim is a welcome sight for passersby and animals alike. The water level is now at normal levels with a constant inflow. The creek bed was completely dry three weeks ago.

Cold nights dipping into the mid to low teens with the afternoons warming up to the upper 40s and lower 50s has been the normal.

With warmer daytime temperatures, the snow continues to melt slowly. The creek beds around the community continue to be dry. The exception to that rule is Chevelon Canyon, where snowmelt has returned the dry creek bed back into a steady stream of water with pools reaching six feet deep in places.

Heber Overgaard Fire District

The Heber Overgaard Fire District held the monthly meeting at the conference room at the fire station Tuesday, Jan. 25. Among the topics for discussion was the audit that was performed by an outside audit firm. The representative gave his presentation to the board over the many topics that were accomplished for the audit.

The only discrepancy that was discovered, which he said is common to many districts, is the fire district having a retained Certified Public Accountant to review financials either quarterly or annually prior to the audit. The representative did say that there is no mandate by the state to have a Certified Public Accountant retained by the fire district. Board member Marilyn Hall then asked the board whether or not we should explore the need since there were no “red flags” now or in the past in regards to any accounting infractions. Further discussion regarding the topic was dismissed to a later date.

Fire Chief Rich Upham gave the fire chief report. The FCC is requiring all radio equipment to conform to the “Narrow Band” standard by January 2013. Rich said that they are in the process of ordering the new equipment and will have it in place before such time the FCC requirement becomes enacted.

He indicated the cost of the equipment is $13,534.50 and he stated that the funds are scheduled into this year’s budget already. It was asked if that was the total cost, and he said that it does not include labor and that he would take that up at a later time when he can attain an estimate.

Rich then went on to say the Dodge 4x4 that was ordered from a vendor in Florida is on its way to California for minor retrofitting prior to its delivery to the fire station. As well, two trucks this month have had to have mechanical work done. One truck was retrofitted with a different suspension installed by a third party and had one side fail during normal use and it is being repaired. It was asked whether it is under warranty and a fireman indicated that it was not. The other truck had a problem with the turbocharger and was repaired.

Overgaard Animal Clinic is having 50 percent off spay and neuter from Feb. 21 to March 18. Call the clinic at (928) 535-5855 for an appointment, estimate and details.